Japan: The Second-Year Anniversary of Earthquake/Tsunami

By Kelvin Ha: Monday, 11th of March, marked the second-year anniversary of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. I attended the JDRFB Final Report on Tohoku hosted by The Boston Foundation, the Japan Society of Boston, and The Fish Family Foundation that evening.

Back in Hong Kong, I initiated one of the first campaigns that unite local youths’ effort to aid the affected in Japan. The event provides another perspective of the recovery efforts, especially on how the affected are slowly resuming to their normal lives.

In his presentation, Shun Kanda, a faculty at MIT, detailed how he conceived the popolo concept while building public spaces for the affected. Initially, with the new visiting faces, the villagers were quiet, and stood watching from a distance. Gradually, the villagers approached cautiously, directing input into the construction process. In the process, the villagers also transported plants from houses of those who lost their lives, and planted around the area. Quoting from the villagers, this is a way to extend the lives and spirit of those who unfortunately lost their lives in face of the ruthless nature.

The presentation was followed by a screening of “Living Your Dream – The Taylor Anderson Story” by Regge Life. The movie follows the Anderson family as they narrate how Taylor pursued her dream in becoming a JET English teacher in Japan, unfortunately lost her life in the quake, and how the family stepped out after losing Taylor. This included the establishment of the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund, with efforts including the donation of a library, as means to continue Taylor’s love and care for children.Live Your Dream Trailer

Poster for “Living Your Dream – The Taylor Anderson Story”

Both these tales narrate the power of nature.
In the face of this, only sympathy and love between us as human beings can carry us through the difficulties.

—-

Kelvin recently visited an outdoor graffiti by Os Gemeos aka Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo. It was done on Stuart Street at the Revere Hotel, downtown Boston. Through vibrant color, the piece features two small characters, standing on another’s shoulder, and painting the name of the artist group with spray paint. As passerby walks through, the two brightly colored characters seem to call for attention for people, to embrace their inner children and creativity.

The outdoor graffiti by Os Gemeos and Gustavo Pandolfo

In the Babson Office of the Arts (where the staff who run the Sorenson Center for the Arts work) suite, we have a photo poster that features a work by South Station and introduced the brother’s exhibition in the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (where Babson and Olin students can get in for free with their OneCards). Speaking of our office, we recently did a major makeover! Seeking to blend between western and oriental aesthetics, we feature white desks that serve as a contrast with our wooden floor, as well as green, stylish lamps in Japanese style. MichÃ¨le’s office has another poster of an Os Gemeos artwork.

Do drop by and visit our Office of the Arts on the first floor of Park Manor South!